New bill will take care of veterans

Friday

Feb 22, 2013 at 10:35 PM

The 112th Congress failed to pass a law for Vietnam War veterans. The law would have afforded all U.S. Navy Vietnam vets VA benefits.

The 112th Congress failed to pass a law for Vietnam War veterans. The law would have afforded all U.S. Navy Vietnam vets VA benefits.New House Bill HR-543, The Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, was introduced to the 113th Congress by U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson, R-N.Y. The Bill if passed will afford VA benefits to all U.S. Navy personnel engaged in the Vietnam War who served at sea never having boots on ground for Agent Orange exposure.In submitting a VA claim for Agent Orange exposure, the veteran must show proof of naval service in the territorial waters of the Republic of Vietnam and medical history for one or more acceptable diseases recognized by the VA for exposure. A copy of the veteran’s DD-214 must be submitted with the VA claim.We veterans need help from the American people. We need public support for action. We ask you to urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill. Without public support, nothing happens. Additionally, go to www.causes.com in the search box type Agent Orange Act, page down to the title, sign the petition. John BuryMedia, Pa.